Ballard was hit from behind by Islanders’ forward Matt Martin and was driven face-first into the red dasher along the benches. He fell to the ice unconscious and convulsing. It was a scary scene, but Ballard was amazingly able to skate off with the help of trainers. There is no word on how serious the injury is and how long he will be out.

Ballard (illness) is expected to return to the Wild blue line on Saturday.

Ballard has missed the last eight games with a mystery illness. Ballard has just one assist in the only game that he has appeared in this season. Christian Folin or Mathew Dumba are expected to take a seat if Ballard is reinserted into the lineup.

Ballard was expected to play on the Wild's third pair tonight with Christian Folin, but both of them are absent from the morning skate because of the flu, so it looks like Mathew Dumba and Nate Prosser will slide into the lineup.

Ballard is expected to replace Nate Prosser on the Wild blueline in game 3.

Ballard has not played since March 17th, but judging by the morning skate, it looks like he will slide into the lineup for Prosser. Ballard had nine points (2G / 7A) and was a minus-7 in 45 games this season. Expect him to be paired with Clayton Stoner as the third pairing.

Ballard missed the last nine games after suffering an upper-body injury on November 5 vs. Calgary. Ballard's return means that Mathew Dumba and Nate Prosser will sit. Ballard has four assists in nine games.

Ballard who missed Tuesday's game with a back injury will return to the lineup tonight but as a forward. He played forward earlier in the season when the Canucks did not have enough active forwards. He will replace Tom Sestito on the fourth line.